Shoe stretching last



March 4, 1941. KQSKELA 2,233,454

SHOE STRETCHING LAST Filed June 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JBeZ fies/raid,

"J 1 11,3 94 ATTORNEY March J. KOSKELA 2,233,454

SHOE STRETCHING LAST Filed June 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Joel Kos/rec'a ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 11 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a shoe stretching last.

More specifically, the invention proposes. the construction of a shoe stretching last constructed to be separable throughout its entire length in a manner to permit the entire interior surface of a shoe to be stretched.

Still further the invention proposes a novel means for securely locking together the rear ends of the last blocks forming the said device for permitting the front ends thereof to be sep-' arated any desired distance to permit only the toe of the shoe to be stretched.

Still further it is proposed to provide the device with a heel piece adapted to be engaged against the heel portion of a shoe to permit the length thereof to be slightly stretched and to further hold the front portion of the shoe stretching last in position within the toe portion of the shoe.

Still further the invention proposes a novel means for permitting the normal contour of the shoe stretching last to be increased in a novel manner for permitting the last to be adjusted in size to meet the requirements of differently sized shoes.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a shoe stretching last constructed in accordance with this invention and showing its position as applied to a shoe.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the shoe stretching last in its stretched position.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating the open position of the lock member.

Fig. 8 is still another view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating the turned position of the lock member for causing the cam surfaces to be used for spreading the rear "end of the last blocks.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View on the line 9-9 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. l but illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a, plan view of a portion of Fig. 10. The shoe stretching last, according to this invention, is adapted to be used in combination 5 with a shoe Ill of any desired construction and includes a pair of complementary adjacent last blocks ll. These last blocks have a wedge hollow 12 disposed between their adjacent faces and intermediate of the ends thereof. A transo verse stud I3 is located between the rear end of the wedge hollow l2 and the rear end of the last blocks proper and extends into openings M formed in the rear end of the blocks ll. This stud I3 is slidably extended into the openings 15 I4 and the openings I4 are of a size and shape to permit the front end of the blocks II to be separated, while the rear ends thereof remain in contact with each other.

A longitudinally extending screw i5 is thread- '20 edly engaged through an opening l5 formed in the stud I3. This screw l5 extends coaxially from the rear end of the blocks II and is disposed between the adjacent faces thereof. A wedge H is rotatively mounted upon the front '25 end of the screw l5 and engages in the wedge hollow 12. The screw l5 has a reduced end li which rotatively extends into the wedge Ill. The wedge I1 is formed with a hollowed out central area ll and a pin I8 is engaged through the '80 reduced end IE3 of the screw and engages the back face of the hollowed out area I! for holding the wedge H in position upon the reduced end Iii of the screw. The construction is such that when the screw I5 is rotated its threaded'35 engagement with the stud [3 will cause the front end thereof to move forward. This movement will also cause the wedge I! to move forward and its engagement with the faces of the wedge hollow I2 will cause the front end of the "40 last blocks I l to be separated, as shown in Fig. 5.

A bridging portion I9 is formed integral with each of the blocks H through which the screw l5 freely engages. This bridging portion has forwardly inclined front walls 20' engaging a-" forwardly disposed concaved surface on the rear of the wedge I! so that the wedge ll holds the blocks H together when the wedge IT is in its extreme rearward position. This bridge portion l9 also assists in rotatively supporting the front end of the screw I5.

A bracket 2| is mounted upon the rear end of each of the last blocks 1 I and each is semi-circular in shape and adapted to cooperate with each other for forming a complete circle. Each of the brackets 2| has a cam surface 2| and a latch element 2| The rear end of the last blocks II are attached to the sides of the brackets 2| by means of pins H A tube 22' is turnably and freely mounted upon the screw l5. The front end of the tube 22 freely carries a member 23 which is rotatively supported thereon. The member 23 has a central opening through which the tube 22 passes. The tube 22 may be freely moved forwards on the screw |5 till its strikes the transverse stud I3. This member on diametrically opposite sides is formed with a cam surface 23 and a latch element 23 The latch elements 23 of the member 23 are arranged complementary to the latch elements 2| of the brackets 2|. In 2. turned position of the member 23, as shown in Fig. 6, the latch elements 23 are adapted to contact the latch elements 21 of the brackets 2| for locking the rear ends of the last blocks l I together. The adjacent faces of the latch elements 23* and the latch elements 2| are inclined to engage each other and prevent the member 23 from moving axially out of the bracket 2| in the locked position'thereof.

Furthermore, a set screw 24 is threadedly engaged through the side of one of the brackets 2| and is adapted to be engaged against-the adjacent face of the member 23 for preventing accidental turning thereof. The member 23 is further provided with a pair of outwardly extending prongs 25 which are adapted to be used for turning the member 23 relative to the tube 22 when the screw 24 is turned to a position in which its inner end is disengaged from the member 23.

When the screw 24 is loosened the member 23 is adapted to be turned to cause its cam surfaces 23 to engage the cam surfaces 2| of the brackets 2| and spread the rear ends of t he blocks A spread position of the brackets 2| is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8. In a slightly turned position of the member 23 the screw 24 is also adapted to be turned to cause its inner end to engage the adjacent face of the adjacent cam surface 23 for holding the member 23 in its adjusted positions. There is nothing to hold the blocks together when separated through their entire length, but the separation is only to be accomplished when the last is in position within a shoe and the engagement of the sides thereof with the inner faces of the walls of the shoe will tend to keep the last blocks in their proper aligned position with relation to each other and with relation to the member 23 and the wedge H.

The last blocks are constructed in a manner to permit shells 21 to be engaged on the outer faces thereof for increasing the normal contour of the last blocks to meet the requirements of various sized shoes. The last blocks II are adapted to be used with or without the shell member 21 as controlled by the size of the shoe to which the last is applied.

The last, according to this invention, is further provided with a means for holding the front end of the last blocks in a fixed position within the toe portion of the shoe and for permitting the length of the shoe tobe increased, if desired. This means comprises a heel piece 28 which has a top portion 2|! threadedly engaging threads 22' formed on the outside of the tube 22. This heel piece 28 is further provided with a downwardly extending portion 28 which is adapted to be engaged against the inside face of the heel of the shoe l0 as shown in Fig. 1.

The tube 22 is provided at its outer end with 2.

handle 29 permitting the same to be rotated relative to the heel piece 28 for bringing the heel piece into a proper position in which its downwardly depending portion 28 will engage the heel of the shoe l0 while the front end of the tube 22 abuts the transverse stud 3. Further rotation of the handle 29 will cause the downwardly depending portion 28 to more rigidly engage the heel, forcing the last blocks forward into the toe of the shoe, causing the length thereof to be stretched. The outer end of the screw I5 is also provided with a handle 30 for permitting the screw |5 to be rotated relative to the stud l3.

The operation of this form of the invention is as follows:

For stretching a shoe the screw I5 is rotated into a position in which the wedge member Will engage against the rear end of the wedge hollow l2 for permitting the front ends of the last members II to contact each other. The member 23 is then rotated into a position in which its latch elements 23 will engage the latch elements 2| b of the brackets 2| for locking the rear ends of the last blocks together.

out. the shells 21, depending on the size of the shoe. The heel piece 28 is then engaged against the heel portion of the shoe II] by rotating the tube 22 relative to the heel piece 28 to cause the last blocks tobe securely positioned within the blocks H) for stretching the toe portion of the,

shoe.

If it is also desired to stretch the shoe across the arch thereof it is merely necessary to rotate the member 23 relative to the brackets 2| to cause the cam surfaces 23 to cooperate with the cam surfaces 21 of the brackets 2| for spreading the rear ends of the blocks II. For holding the member 23 in its new adjusted position it is necessary to rotate the screw 24 until its inner end engages the adjacent face of the member 23 for holding the same against accidental turning. For moving the shoe stretching last from the shoe I0 the above procedure is reversed.

According tothe modification of the invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the construction of the shoe stretching last is similar tothat previously described, except that the last blocks are superimposed one upon the, other and have a split between the adjacent faces extended substantially horizontally instead of vertically, as described relative to the previous form of the invention. The operative mechanism of this modified shoe last is similar to that described relative to the previous form of the invention and like reference characters are used for identifying like parts in the several figures.

This form of the invention further distinguishes from the previous form in a slightly different means for permitting the operative normal contour of the last blocks II to be increased. This means comprises an arched plate mounted uponthe top last block II. This arched plate 35 has its front end pivotally supported by means of a pin 36 and its rear end provided with a means for holding the same in various raised positions with relation to the face of the block II. This means includes a lever 31 pivotally mounted upon the rear end of the plate 35 intermediate of its ends.

The lastblocks ll are then slipped into the shoe l0 with or with- The front end 3| of the lever is adapted to cooperate with one of a plurality of ridges .38 formedin the top face of the top last'block H for holding the plate in any desired position for increasing thearch diameter of the blocks. A turnable eye 39 is mounted upon the top last block adjacent the rear end of the ridges 38 and is adapted to cooperate with an opening formed in the rear end 31" of the pivoted lever 31 for securely holding the plate 35in a non-operative H) position. .In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

It is to be understood that by means of this arrangement, a shoe may be stretched in all directions, at any desired place, such as, at the toe,

1i) vamp, arch, etc., of the shoe, by a simple manipw lation ofthe shoe stretching last.

By means of this arrangement, it is possible to separate the toes of the last blocks by first locking the cam elements 2|", and thenrotating the screw l5.

It is also possible by this device, to keep the toes of the last blocks closed, and to spread the rear end of the last. To accomplish this, the cam elements Zl are first opened and then the last is pushed far into the toe of the shoe by rotating the handle 29 until the heel piece 28 presses against theback of the shoe. Then the screw I5 is rotated in a direction to move the wedge (I forward. This motion of the wedge l'l will spread the rear end of the last.

The last may also be spread with the toe and back simultaneously, by first sliding back the cam I1, and by loosening the heel piece 28.

Then the screw I5 is again rotated in a direction which will advance the cam l'l forward. This motion will separate both the toe and back portion of the shoe last.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be 45 understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

45 Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a shoe stretching last, a'pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a 50 shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and 5.3 engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements to complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to 65 one of said brackets.

2. Ina shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending 70 into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and hav- 75 ing cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementaryto said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam sur- '15 faces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly' with respect to one of said brackets, said wedge being formed with a central hollow, said screw being formed with a reduced end rotatively engaging said wedge, and a pin engaging through the reduced end of said screw and engaging the back wall of said central hollow for holding saidwedge in position upon said screw.

3. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks'engageable into thetoe of a .shoe and'having a wedgehollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and oamsurfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks 80 spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, said means for rotatively mounting said member upon said tube comprising an opening in said member through which said tube passes.

4. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitu- 4o 'dinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a 4 tubefreely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam 5 surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, said means for holding said member comprising a screw threadedly engaged through one of said brackets and cooperative with the adjacent face of said member.

5. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their a'djacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfacesand latch elements, a tube freelymounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary tosaid cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, 7

brackets.

vsaid latch elements on said member and said latch elements on said brackets being provided with complementary inclined faces for preventing said member from moving axially out of said 6. In a shoe stretching last a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, and a bracket mounted adjacent the rear end of said wedge hollow and through which said screw extends for assisting said stud in supporting said screw.

7. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements. complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, and a shell comprising separate shell sections, each of said shell sections being engageable upon one of said last blocks for increasing the normal operative contour thereof.

'8. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, said last blocks being superim posed one on the other.

9. Ina shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on'said' screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, said last blocks being superimposed one on the other, and means upon the top face of said top last block for increasing the operative diameter of said last blocks.

10. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam sur-' faces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, and a heel piece mounted on said tube and engageable with the heel of said shoe for securely holding said last blocks in position within the toe thereof and for stretching the length of the shoe whendesired. I t

11. In a shoe stretching last, a pair of complementary last blocks engageable into the toe of a shoe and having a wedge hollow in their adjacent faces, a transverse stud between and extending into the rear ends of said blocks, a longitudinally extending screw threadedly engaging said stud, a wedge rotatively mounted on said screw and engaging in said wedge hollow, a bracket mounted on the rear of each last block and having cam surfaces and latch elements, a tube freely mounted on said screw, a member freely and rotatively mounted on said tube and having latch elements complementary to said latch elements for holding said brackets together and cam surfaces complementary to said cam surfaces for holding the rear ends of said last blocks spaced, and means for holding said member fixedly with respect to one of said brackets, and a heel piece mounted on said tube and engageable with the heel of said shoe for securely holding said last blocks in position within the toe thereof and for stretching the length of the shoe when desired, and means for causing said heel piece to be moved along the length of said tube with relation to said last blocks for permitting the same to be engaged with said heel.

JOEL KOSKELA. 

